Connor’s Run 2026 in the spotlight
What a week for Connor’s Run!
Our 14th Melbourne Connor’s Run brought more than 5,000 people together across Melbourne to run, walk, roll, cheer, volunteer and FUNdraise for kids with brain cancer.
And beyond the thousands of big-hearted people who joined us on event day, Connor’s Run reached an even bigger audience, with some incredible media coverage helping us shine a light on paediatric brain cancer and the families at the heart of our community.
From live crosses on event morning to the evening news and a special feature helping kids understand how they can make a difference, we’re so grateful to everyone who helped share Connor’s Run far and wide.
Sunrise
Event day started bright and early with a special live segment on Sunrise featuring RCD Foundation Legacy Ambassadors Hugh and Sarah, alongside Connor’s dad, Scott Dawes.
Together they shared what Connor’s Run means to our brain cancer community and why, 14 years on, we continue to come together to raise funds, awareness and hope for young people facing brain cancer.
9News Melbourne
9News joined us on event day to capture the colour, energy and heart of Connor’s Run.
The story featured our Founder and CEO Liz Dawes OAM, Connor’s mates the Water Polo Boys, RCD Foundation Ambassador and Essendon captain Andy McGrath, Professor Misty Jenkins, Kilvington Grammar students and others from across our community.
Watch the 9News Melbourne story
The Footy Show
There was a very special Bombers moment on event morning when Jess Webster crossed live to Connor’s Run.
She caught up with RCD Foundation Ambassador and Essendon captain Andy McGrath and Bombers fan, RCD Foundation Legacy Ambassador and brain cancer survivor Georgia Maguire.
Together they helped shine a light on why thousands of people come together for Connor’s Run and the importance of raising funds and awareness for paediatric brain cancer.
Watch The Footy Show live cross
Kids News
The Connor’s Run story continued after event day, with Kids News sharing Connor’s Run with young readers around Australia.
The feature included Legacy Ambassador Georgia, her mum Jacinta and Connor’s Run Ambassador Bianca Adler, and highlighted the many ways kids can make a difference.
Importantly, it also reminded readers that Connor’s Run isn't over yet. Through Your Way Any Day, people can run, walk, ride, roll or create their own challenge anywhere throughout September.
Live from Connor’s Run with Southern FM
Our friends at 88.3 Southern FM were also there on event day, broadcasting live from Connor’s Run between 8am and 11am and bringing the atmosphere of the morning to listeners across Bayside and beyond. Their Connor’s Run outside broadcast is now available to listen back to online.
Listen to Southern FM’s Connor’s Run outside broadcast
7News Melbourne
Connor’s Run also featured on 7NEWS Melbourne, capturing the incredible energy of event day and helping take our message about paediatric brain cancer to an even wider audience.
From thousands of participants hitting the course to the families and community at the heart of Connor’s Run, the coverage was another wonderful opportunity to show Melbourne what makes this event so special.
WATCH: 7NEWS Melbourne’s Connor’s Run coverage
Concrete Playground: Women Who Inspire Us
In the lead-up to Connor’s Run, Concrete Playground sat down with our Founder and CEO, Liz Dawes OAM, for an in-depth feature exploring Connor’s story, the beginnings of RCD Foundation and the impact made possible by our incredible community.
Liz spoke about the research RCD has helped drive, including AIM Brain and our investment in mRNA vaccine research, as well as the very personal story behind Connor’s Run and why September remains such a special time for our brain cancer community.
It’s a beautiful reflection on how one run that raised $50,000 in 2013 has grown into something so much bigger.
Read the full Concrete Playground feature
Watch the 9News feature below.
